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Hiring Process

How easy is it to apply for our jobs?

"When I considered employment options, my first impression about BLS was that the agency truly values its employees. It impressed me that BLS makes their offices a comfortable place for employees to work. Our furniture is ergonomically friendly, there is an abundance of natural light in our building, and the gym facilities are first-rate."

"Cheryl Flango, Consumer Price Index Branch Chief, San Francisco, CA

BLS uses a fully automated process to fill its positions. You can apply online through USAJOBS.

We’ve simplified the process so that you no longer have to constantly check for BLS vacancy announcements. Just register at USAJOBS and we’ll do the rest. You will automatically receive email notices of new BLS vacancies.

Remember that USAJOBS is available 24/7 so you can access the site whenever it works best for you.

How long does the application process take?

The actual time-to-hire varies with each vacancy depending on the number of applicants and completion of individual ratings and assessments. We will notify you to let you know if you are qualified or not qualified for the position in which you are interested. We’ll try to do this as quickly as possible. Don’t get discouraged. We try to fill jobs as quickly as we can but also need to be sure that we carefully review all applications to find the best candidate.

We suggest that you allow a few weeks to pass after the closing date on the vacancy announcement before initiating contact to discuss your status. If you do contact us, be sure to have the vacancy number available. Remember to keep a copy of the vacancy announcement for any jobs to which you apply. That way, you will have all the information you need to follow up on your application status.

Ready to get started?

If you have any questions regarding BLS hiring, please email them to Careers@BLS. For your convenience, we may also be reached by phone at 800-827-5334.

Six Easy Steps

Step 1. Register With USAJOBS

You must first register on USAJOBS and create at least one federal resume. Your online resume must be developed using the USAJOBS resume builder. You must submit a resume in order to be considered for a BLS position. Once you have completed the initial registration process with USAJOBS and created a resume, you will not need to perform this step again. The system will store your personal information and resume.

Step 2. Select Your USAJOBS Resume

After establishing your USAJOBS account and creating at least one resume, you are ready to apply for new positions. When you find a job of interest, simply login to USAJOBS and follow the instructions provided in the vacancy announcement to complete the application process. Remember, in order to apply for a vacancy announcement, you must have at least one resume on file at USAJOBS. If you have already created at least one resume on USAJOBS, select the resume you would like to submit for a vacancy announcement. If you have not created a resume on USAJOBS, use the resume builder provided to do so.

Step 3. Select the Vacancy Announcement

Locate the vacancy announcement on USAJOBS. Review the announcement thoroughly, including the Who May Apply, Qualifications and Required Documents sections. These sections describe what type of applicant is eligible to apply, the education and experience required to be qualified for the position, and which documents you will need to submit to support your application. Click the Apply Online link at the bottom of the page and then select one of your stored resumes to submit with your application. Click on "Apply for this position now!" to start the submission of your application.

Step 4. Complete the Eligibility Information Questions

You will be prompted to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. These questions determine what types of jobs you are eligible to apply for based on your past experience, veteran status and other factors. You will only answer these questions once. The system will save your responses and include them with all future applications. However, when you apply for another vacancy announcement, you may update the information on file. Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to these core questions and the online vacancy specific self-assessment questions described next.

Step 5. Complete the Vacancy Specific Questions

Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all of the questions honestly and thoroughly. Click on the Submit button once you have completed your application. The vacancy questions are available until 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET)on the closing date listed on the vacancy announcement. You must be finished with the vacancy questions by 11:59 pm ET to receive consideration. Always be sure to have a copy of your entire application emailed to you to ensure confirmation of receipt. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your MY USAJOBS account. For further information refer to the "What to Expect Next" section of the vacancy announcement.

Step 6. Submit Documentation

Some vacancy announcements will list documents that you must submit in order to complete your application. Your application will be considered incomplete and YOU WILL BE FOUND INELIGIBLE, if you fail to submit the required documentation in accordance with the information provided in the Required Documents section of a vacancy announcement.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, make sure you update this information in USAJOBS (Go to "My USAJOBS", then click "Profile") to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process.

If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us at the telephone number listed on the announcement. Applicants MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

What to Expect Next

"As a veteran analyst, it is satisfying for me to know that I not only directly contribute to producing our indices, but that I may in some way contribute to helping other analysts gain critical knowledge needed to be effective in their duties."

"Myron Murray, Industry Analyst, Washington, DC

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified via email of the outcome.

You may check the status of your application for this position by logging into USAJOBS and clicking on the "My USAJOBS" tab. Click on "application" to track your online job application. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the "Track your Online Job Application" feature. You will be routed to the USAJOBS Online Application History Page to view the status of your application.

You will receive final notification via email when this vacancy has been filled. This could be as long as 45 to 60 days after the closing date of the announcement.

If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, make sure you update this information in USAJOBS to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process.

Announcement Help

Need Help Understanding a BLS Vacancy Announcement?

Federal vacancy announcements can be confusing to applicants who aren’t used to reading them. The guidelines below will help you through the process and give you a better understanding of what you need to do to apply for a BLS career.

Here is everything you need to know:

Vacancy Announcement Number - This is the identification number issued to each vacancy announcement. You must reference this number on all of the materials you submit.

Opening Date - This is the date when the vacancy announcement was initially opened for the submission of applications.

Closing Date - This is the final date that applications may be submitted for consideration for an available position. All applications must be postmarked or received by this.

Position - This is the title of the vacancy being announced.

Series & Grade - This information indicates the pay plan, series and grade for the available position.

Promotion Potential - This information will indicate if the available position has the potential for promotion, as well as describe the full performance level.

Salary - This describes the salary range for the available position. To view a complete list of salary ranges, click here.

Duty Location - This is the geographic location where the position will be filled, or where the position is located.

Who May Apply - In this area, we describe who is eligible to apply for the available position, such as "Federal Civil Service Employees," or "Public."

Major Duties - This section details the duties and responsibilities of the available position.

Qualifications Required - Here, you’ll learn the basic knowledge, skills and abilities that are required in order for applicants to qualify for the position, such as similar experience or a related educational background.

How You Will Be Evaluated - In this section, you will learn how you will be evaluated for the position - whether you will be ranked on your knowledge, skills and abilities, or other characteristics required to perform the duties of the position.

How to Apply - This section describes all of the materials that are required for you to complete your application. Review the six easy steps.

Please forward questions regarding BLS hiring to Careers@BLS. For your convenience, we may be reached by phone at 800-827-5334.